The English referee awarded Real Madrid a last-gasp penalty in the Champions League quarter-final last night, knocking the Bianconeri out and possibly condemning Buffon to end his career without lifting that trophy.

After the match the goalkeeper was scathing in his assessment, calling Oliver “an animal” and claiming he has “a trash can in place of a heart”.

“When Gigi spoke about the referee… I found it hard to understand, honestly,” a visibly uncomfortable Del Piero said on Sky.

“I don’t understand why we should refer to the first leg, that’s how football is and you analyse the moment, whether it’s nice or ugly.

“I think in a few days he’ll say different things about the referee than what he said.”

Del Piero and Buffon were teammates with Juventus and Italy for many years, winning the World Cup with the Azzurri in 2006.